Hybrid foreign object detection (FOD) loop array board
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a presence of a metallic or a ferromagnetic object over a region for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of foreign object detection (FOD) loops arranged in an array over a charging area, at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being in a second configuration different than the first configuration based on a value indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling between one or more charging coils in the charging area and a respective one the plurality of FOD loops within a corresponding area of the array, wherein a difference between the first configuration and the second configuration corresponds to a difference in a magnetic flux direction of the respective portions of FOD loops.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for detecting a presence of a metallic and/or a ferromagnetic object over a region for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle are presented. An example apparatus includes one or more foreign object detection (FOD) loops arranged in an array over a charging area, at least a portion of the FOD loops being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the FOD loops being second configuration different than the first configuration based on a value indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling between the charging area and a respective one the FOD loops within a corresponding area of the array.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting a presence of a metallic or a ferromagnetic object over a region for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of foreign object detection (FOD) loops arranged in an array over a charging area, at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being in a second configuration different than the first configuration based on a value indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling between one or more charging coils in the charging area and a respective one the plurality of FOD loops within a corresponding area of the array, wherein a difference between the first configuration and the second configuration corresponds to a difference in a magnetic flux direction of the respective portions of FOD loops. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of detecting foreign objects in a wireless power transfer system, comprising:
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determining a foreign object detection (FOD) array dimension, wherein the FOD array comprises a plurality of FOD loop elements disposed over one or more primary charging coils in the wireless power transfer system; determining one or more FOD loop configurations for each of the plurality of FOD loop elements, wherein the one or more FOD loop configurations include a circular loop and a double loop; determining a FOD loop orientation for each of the one or more FOD loop configurations in each of the plurality of FOD loop elements; and selecting a FOD loop configurations and the FOD loop orientation for each of the plurality of FOD loop elements based on a magnetic coupling to the one or more primary charging coils.
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14. An apparatus for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a primary charging coil in a double-D (DD) configuration configured to operate at a first frequency; a plurality of foreign object detection (FOD) loops arranged in an array over the primary charging coil, at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops being a second configuration that is different than the first configuration, wherein a difference between the first configuration and the second configuration corresponds to a magnetic flux direction of the respective at least a portion of the plurality of FOD loops; and a control circuit operably coupled to the primary charging coil and the plurality of FOD loops, and configured to drive the plurality of FOD loops at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency to generate a magnetic field, and to detect a foreign object based on an electrical characteristic in at least one of the plurality of FOD loops caused by the foreign object coupling with the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for wirelessly transferring power to charge an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a primary charging means for providing power to the electric vehicle at a first frequency; detection means for detecting foreign objects, the detection means arranged in an array over the primary charging means, at least a portion of the detection means being in a first configuration and at least a portion of the detection means being a second configuration that is different than the first configuration, wherein a difference between the first configuration and the second configuration corresponds to a magnetic flux direction of the respective at least a portion of the detection means; and a control means operably coupled to the detection means and configured to drive the detection means at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency to generate a magnetic field, and to detect a foreign object based on an electrical characteristic in the detection means caused by the foreign object coupling with the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification